Manchester United’s return to the Champions League was sealed by a defeat for Liverpool in Steven Gerrard’s final game at Anfield, while the fight to avoid relegation from the English Premier League was reduced to three teams with one round remaining.
Liverpool lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace on an emotionally charged evening for Gerrard, to end its slim hopes of finishing in the top four. Instead, United will be the league’s fourth representative in Europe’s top competition next season alongside Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal.
Aston Villa and Leicester secured their top-flight status for another season, leaving Hull, Newcastle and Sunderland in a three-way scrap to stay up.
Photo: AFP
Hull is favorite to join Queens Park Rangers and Burnley in going down after losing 2-0 at Tottenham to stay third from bottom. Newcastle remained two points above Hull after a 2-1 loss at QPR and Sunderland is a point further ahead following its 0-0 draw with Leicester.
Hull needs to win its last match, at home to Man United, to stand a chance of staying up.
Everton beat West Ham United 2-1 and Stoke City drew 0-0 with Burnley.
Photo: AFP
Gerrard played 90 minutes in his 354th and final appearance at Anfield, but could not conjure up one last moment of brilliance at a stadium he has illuminated so many times down the years.
He thanked Liverpool’s fans for their support in an emotional speech, by which time his club had failed in its bid to qualify for the Champions League for a second straight season.
After Adam Lallana gave Liverpool a 26th-minute lead, Jason Puncheon equalized from a free-kick in the 43rd, and Wilfried Zaha and Glenn Murray scored second-half goals for Palace.
Liverpool is in fifth place and six points behind United ahead of its final match of the season at Stoke, which will mark Gerrard’s last appearance for the Reds.
With the title clinched by Chelsea and the top four wrapped up, much of the focus on the final day is set to be on the relegation battle.
Two months ago, Leicester looked like a certainty to go down after spending most of the season in last place.
However, a point at Sunderland added to Leicester’s run of six wins from its previous seven games and Nigel Pearson’s team is safe. Half of Leicester’s 38 points have come in the past eight rounds.
Hull’s loss ensured Villa would be in the league for another year, although it was a bittersweet day for Tim Sherwood’s side after its heavy loss at St Mary’s.
Goals by Nacer Chadli and Danny Rose consigned Hull to a third straight loss that plunged the team closer to a return to the second tier after two years in the Premier League.
Newcastle is still in danger, though, after an eighth defeat in nine games. Emmanuel Riviere put Newcastle ahead before Matt Phillips and Leroy Fer scored for QPR.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely